Beyond Darien

FTC: It’s Good to Want to Help Natural Disaster Victims, But Avoid Scammers

Americares to Ship Medicine and Supplies for Guatemalans Displaced by Volcano

Darienite Allison Molkenthin To Be an Honoree at 2018 Fulbright Awards Dinner

‘This Is Part of Our Obligation’: Much-Needed Ceiling Replacement Underway at the Glass House

Remember: Set Your Clock Back for the End of Daylight Savings Time

Police: Man in Waveny Incident Identifies Himself, Will Be Charged

After Incident at Waveny Park, New Canaan Police Encourage Joggers to Run With Others

High School Now Starts at 8:30 AM in Greenwich, Middle School at 8: How That’s Working Out

Darien Sept 11 Ceremony at Town’s 9/11 Monument at 8:30 AM Monday

Plethora of Pearls at Norwalk’s 40th Annual Oyster Festival This Weekend

Atria Darien to Hold ‘Texas-Size BBQ’ Fundraiser Lunch Benefiting Atria Texas Staff in Need

Gov Malloy, State Food Bank Networks Recommend Charities for Texas Hurricane Relief

Donate to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims, But Pick Your Charity Carefully: How to Do Both

Save Your Eyes in the Eclipse: How to Make a Pinhole Camera

Know a Deserving Homeowner Who Needs a Free Roof? Nearby Business Accepting Nominations Now

Events Calendar

Beyond Darien

By COLLEEN TRESSLER | June 16, 2018

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | June 11, 2018

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | May 14, 2018

Arts & Entertainment

By MICHAEL DINAN | December 13, 2017

Around Town

By David Gurliacci | November 4, 2017

Beyond Darien

By MICHAEL DINAN | November 3, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | November 2, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | September 16, 2017

Around Town

By David Gurliacci | September 10, 2017

Arts & Entertainment

By David Gurliacci | September 8, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | September 3, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | August 30, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | August 29, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | August 21, 2017

Beyond Darien

By David Gurliacci | August 7, 2017

News from elsewhere that’s important to Darienites

Natural disasters and weather emergencies are in the news. Whether it’s the volcanic eruptions in Hawaii and Guatemala or the wildfires in Colorado, it’s heartbreaking to see people lose their homes and businesses to the ongoing devastation. But it’s despicable when scammers exploit such tragedies to appeal to your sense of generosity. If you’re looking for a way to help, the Federal Trade Commission urges you to be cautious of potential charity scams.

— This article is from the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Information blog. Colleen Tressler is a consumer education specialist with the FTC.

Stamford-based Americares is preparing an emergency shipment of medicine and relief supplies for families displaced by the volcanic eruption in Guatemala. Dozens have died, and 1.7 million people have been affected since the Fuego volcano 25 miles southwest of Guatemala City began erupting on June 3. More than 4,000 people forced from their homes are staying in emergency shelters to escape dangerous ash, gasses and mudslides. Americares is supplying the Order of Malta, which is providing medical care in shelters, with antibiotics, wound care supplies, hygiene products and medicine to treat evacuees with acute and chronic conditions. — an announcement from Americares

Twenty-six tons of medicine and supplies valued at $1.8 million will be shipped from Americares Connecticut headquarters in Stamford this week.

Allison Gushée Molkenthin, a YWCA Darien/Norwalk 2018 Woman of Distinction, will be honored on May 22 in New York City at One To World’s 2018 Fulbright Awards Dinner. A longtime Darien resident who has contributed to many important causes locally, Ms. Molkenthin was a Fulbright scholar to Morocco and earned her MBA from INSEAD in France. __________

— an announcement from One To World

__________

She has been a managing director at Bentley Associates L.P. since 1999, working on international transactions, and was previously president and COO of UI USA, the U.S. merchant banking arm of Crédit Agricôle. She began her career at Bankers Trust, working in New York, London, Milan and Paris. “We are proud to be honoring Allison as a business leader who has furthered the Fulbright vision by fostering respect and cooperation across borders throughout her career,” said Jen E. Clarke, Executive Director of One To World.

For years, even when its creator, Philip Johnson was still alive, the southwest corner of the plaster ceiling inside the Glass House in New Canaan has been sagging. It’s been getting progressively worse in recent years — to the point where three of the doors into the iconic structure (there’s one on each face of the house) could not be opened. About three years ago, those in charge of the National Trust for Historic Preservation site oversaw a temporary stabilization in the troubled corner, working with Brooklyn, N.Y.-based Evergreene Architectural Arts. “It sagged about three inches in that corner,” Brendan Tobin, senior buildings & grounds manager at the Glass House said Tuesday afternoon, standing near Johnson’s building on the Ponus Ridge site. “They stabilized it by putting some lag bolts and washers in place so it would not further sag, and they gave us basically three proposals to restore or preserve the ceiling.”

Glass House officials reviewed those proposals (more on them below) and settled on one so that work could start days after the 2017 season ended on Nov.

With Daylight Savings Time ending at 2 a.m. Sunday, set your clocks to “fall back” an hour either late tonight or early tomorrow morning. Car clocks have become easier, and you won’t have to change the time on your iPhone, but your stove and microwave clocks likely need adjusting, and is there one on your coffeemaker? This Web page has “tried to identify every time-keeping device you might have that requires manual attention.” And this is the time that many fire departments suggest you change the batteries on your smoke detectors. No time like the present.

Police said Thursday that the man suspected of approaching a female jogger at Waveny one evening this week and making “inappropriate remarks” to her came to department headquarters to admit his involvement in the incident. The man “provided specific details as to what took place, confirming he was in fact the suspect,” according to a news release issued by New Canaan Police Department. ________

— This article previously was published by NewCanaanite.com. ________

“This investigation is still ongoing in terms of determining appropriate charges and completing the appropriate paperwork to make an arrest,” the news release said. “However at this time we feel this was an isolated incident and that the person responsible has been identified.

Waveny Park trail by Michael Dinan photo used by Darienite 11-01-17

A female jogger at Waveny Park was approached Tuesday by a man who tapped her on the shoulder and made inappropriate remarks that alarmed her, according to various reports. As a result of the 5:40 p.m. incident at the park just over the Darien-New Canaan border, New Canaan police are increasing patrols and encouraging joggers not to jog alone.

The man is described as white, about five-foot-eight, with short blonde hair and black-framed glasses, police said. He was wearing a blue hoodie with an Under Armour logo on the chest, shorts and sneakers. Anyone with information is encouraged to call New Canaan Police at 203-594-3500. “Joggers are encouraged to run in pairs and in well-traveled areas,” New Canaan Police Chief Leon Krolikowski said in a news release.

Later school Isabella Ross Greenwich Yager 09-16-17

When the new school year started two weeks ago in Greenwich, it started a little later in the day as a result of changes adopted by the town’s Board of Education, a controversial move and part of a national debate that pits concerns about keeping students alert with other concerns, including sports practices and game times. On Thursday, the Greenwich Board of Education heard from about 20 parents, teachers and others about how the new school schedule has been working out, eight days into the new school year. Despite kinks in the bus scheduling and challenges scheduling sports practice and competitions in other towns, feedback was overall very positive on the benefits to students of the extra hour of sleep. Valerie Erde said her son, a GHS senior, had wanted to speak at the hearing but had decided since he finished his homework early, he would work on his college applications. CORRECTION: This article originally said the school start time for both middle and high school students was 8:30 a.m. Middle school students in Greenwich Public Schools actually start at 8 p.m. (The article was corrected at 8:30 p.m., Sept.

The Monuments & Ceremonies Commission of the Town of Darien, invites the public to participate in the town’s annual 9/11 remembrance ceremony with Commissioner, Phil Kraft serving as master of ceremonies. Following tradition, the Darien Monuments and Ceremonies Commission will observe 9/11 at 8:30 a.m., Monday, Sept. 11 at the 9/11 Memorial located behind Middlesex Middle School, 204 Hollow Tree Ridge Road.
_____________

— an announcement from the Darien Monuments & Ceremonies Commission

_____________
Josh Doying, a Darien High School graduate, brought the town’s 9/11 monument to fruition. A wreath and red roses will be placed and a moment of silence will be observed at 8:46 a.m., the time the first plane struck the Tower on Sept.

The 2017 Norwalk Oyster Festival will feature live music from dozens of bands on multiple stages, amusement rides, and, of course, oysters. Friday night’s musical highlight on the main stage is the Billy Joel tribute band, Mike DelGuidice & Big Shot. Attendees will also enjoy these other Festival entertainment and attractions: the Paul Bunyan Lumberjack Show, the Nerveless Nocks Thrill Show with motorcycle acts and other daredevil stunts, a craft beer tent with more than 40 beers, an Arts & Crafts Pavilion with items from more than 100 artisans and crafters, an oyster slurping contest, and more. More About that Music
DelGuidice was hand picked and hired by Billy Joel himself, and is currently on tour with Billy Joel playing rhythm guitar and vocals, along with other members of Big Shot. Saturday’s entertainment will include Latin Rock Santana tribute band, Sacred Fire, and Desert Highway, a band celebrating the music of the Eagles.

Hurricane Harvey’s devastation in the Houston area, where Atria operates five of its 14 Texas communities, has resulted in three Atria retirement homes being evacuated and distress for many employees. For anyone who donates money to help the Atria employees with expenses during the storm, Atria Darien is holding a thank-you barbecue lunch at noon on Wednesday to show its appreciation. Three Atria retirement homes were evacuated for safety to North Houston and Tyler, Texas before the storm hit. “Many of our 350-plus Atria employees in the area have been displaced and many are working around the clock to ensure the safety of our residents and co-workers,” an announcement from the company said. Atria has a nonprofit organization, Atria Cares, to provide emergency financial assistance (not loans) to Atria employees who need it.

Hurricane Harvey National Guard photo Wikimedia Commons https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Louisiana_National_Guard_(36727929572).jpg

Both Gov. Dannel Malloy and two Connecticut food bank networks have issued statements recommending reputable charities you can give to in order to make effective donations for relief from Hurricane Harvey (later downgraded to a tropical storm). Included in the governor’s list are nearly all the same Texas food banks in a list suggested by the Connecticut food banks. Malloy’s statement was released Tuesday, the food bank networks released their statement Wednesday. — See also: Donate to Help Hurricane Harvey Victims, But Pick Your Charity Carefully: How to Do Both (Tuesday, Aug. 29)

Here is the statement from the governor, followed by a joint statement from the Connecticut Food Bank and Foodshare, along with an announcement from the Feeding America website:
Malloy’s Statement
Gov. Dannel P. Malloy is advising Connecticut residents who are generously considering providing monetary donations to nonprofit organizations that are assisting with Hurricane Harvey response and recovery in the Texas area to take several steps of precaution in order to ensure that their charitable giving is being used in accordance with the intent in which it was given.

Texas National Guard picture rescue Houston Aug 2017 https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hurricane_Harvey#/media/File:Texas_National_Guard_(36709598191).jpg

It’s heartbreaking to see people lose their lives, homes, and businesses to the ongoing flooding in Texas. But it’s despicable when scammers exploit such tragedies to appeal to your sense of generosity. ____________

— This article by Colleen Tressler is a post on the Federal Trade Commission blog. ____________

If you’re looking for a way to give, the FTC urges you to be cautious of potential charity scams. Do some research to ensure that your donation will go to a reputable organization that will use the money as promised. Consider these tips when asked to give:

Donate to charities you know and trust with a proven track record with dealing with disasters.

The first time we tried to click on this link to a NASA Web page on making a pinhole “camera” (it won’t take pictures, but you’ll see the eclipse safely), we couldn’t get through. So that you can avoid the same problem, we’re reprinting their instructions here. You can easily do this in a hurry if you’ve got just a few common items handy. Here’s what that Web page says:

How to Make a Pinhole Camera

You don’t need fancy glasses or equipment to watch one of the sky’s most awesome shows: a solar eclipse. With just a few simple supplies, you can make a pinhole camera that lets you watch a solar eclipse safely and easily from anywhere.

No Roof Left Behind image for thumbnail 08-07-17

If you know a deserving homeowner in Fairfield County who could use a free roof and wouldn’t mind participating in a public contest to get it, send in your nomination to Prizio Roofing & Siding Co. in New Canaan. The area business is participating in the No Roof Left Behind campaign, where area roofers hold public voting campaigns to see which homeowner will get a free roof in a certain area — in this case, Fairfield County. Anyone can participate and nominate a friend, neighbor or family member in need of a new roof. From the submissions, four finalists will be chosen for an online public voting campaign.

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